Beautification

Passyunk Gardens End of Winter Meet and Greet - March 11, 6:30 pm at Devil’s Den

We’re getting ready to start planting in Passyunk Gardens! So it’s time to say hello to our old “perennial” friends and meet some new ones. If you’re interested in helping out at Passyunk Gardens this is a great way to find out more about how we manage things. Everyone is welcome! If you can’t make it but would still like to get involved email us at beautification@passyunk.org

Passyunk Pruning - March 29, 10 am - 12 pm, meet at Passyunk Gardens

Calling all Passyunk Square Tree Tenders (and aspiring ones!) We’re planning our first pruning event of the year and we need your help. Pruning is important maintenance that keeps trees healthy and looking beautiful. If you’re already a seasoned pruner, we need you on our team. If you’re looking to learn how to prune, we’re happy to show you how.

We’ll be pruning one or two blocks of trees in the neighborhood at a location to be determined. If your block could use some moderate tree pruning – work that doesn’t require a ladder – let us know.

PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean.

Don’t miss the General Meeting this Tuesday, February 3 at 6:30 pm – this time we will meet at St. Maron Church Hall (1013 Ellsworth Street). Join us to hear from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) about a proposed pop-up garden in our neighborhood to run in the warmer months of 2015. Since 2011, each year PHS has created a unique public garden space on an underutilized lot. The projects were each custom designed to highlight the transformative power of horticulture and bring attention to the surrounding neighborhood. Hear about the vision for this temporary use of a space in our neighborhood and sites under consideration – including the lot at 9th and Wharton.

Soak It Up! Adoption Program
PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean. Thank you to those who have already volunteered to help! If you are interested in being trained to monitor stormwater sites, please email beautification@passyunk.org. Being a monitor is as easy as submitting an online form each week to report on the condition of these gardens. You can also read more about PWD’s innovative Green Cities, Clean Waters initiative at their website.

Soak It Up! Adoption Program – Volunteers Needed!
PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean.

PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean. We’re looking for extra volunteers to help us monitor these sites. Being a monitor is as easy as submitting an online form each week to report on the condition of these sites. If you are interested in helping out, please email beautification@passyunk.org for more information. You can also read more about PWD’s innovative Green Cities, Clean Waters initiative at their website.

Pam welcomed guests. She sent around a sign-in sheet to add names to our database. She encouraged meeting guests to introduce themselves and greet one another. Pam explained that a representative from Mural Arts was invited to speak tonight, but was unable to make it at the last minute. Pam encouraged residents to take down flyers/signs around the neighborhood when the events have passed.

Board Updates:

Parks and Immigrant Outreach

Chris announced that Columbus Square, Gold Star and Capitolo Parks will be holding their Love Your Park fall clean up day on Saturday, November 15. Guests should check park Facebook pages or websites for more information. He also announced that the next session of ESL classes will begin after the new year in January. The next South Philly Language Exchange will be held on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 pm at Don Chucho’s Mexican Restaurant (1108 S. 9th St). Chris invited all those interested, regardless of their level of Spanish, to attend this community-building event.

Beautification

Sarah announced that Passyunk Gardens is closing for the season. The final workday was scheduled to be held last weekend, but was postponed due to the weather until this Saturday from 11-1. Sarah explained that the garden will be put to bed for the season. All are welcome to participate. Please send Sarah an email at beautification@passyunk.org to get on list serve.

A tree planting is set for November 15, at 8:45 am, starting at Capitolo Playground. 25 trees will be planted. Sarah anticipates a good core volunteer group, including students from Furness High School, but she could always use more help. Volunteers will be trained on how to plant trees. Those interested should email her for more details. Sarah announced that she is looking for people with tree tender experience especially. An after party will be held at Garage.

Mural Arts is beginning work on a new mural at 10th and Washington. They are looking to interview neighborhood residents in January to gather more information for the mural. Those interested in talking to Mural Arts people are encouraged to email Sarah.

Sarah explained to meeting guests that we partner with the PWD to take care of neighborhood stormwater planters, and we are looking for volunteers to help monitor them. We have volunteers for all five locations, but we need back up monitors. Please contact Sarah if you are interested in volunteering.

Education

Tom announced that our second community day at Jackson School took place recently and was a great success. Volunteers painted fences, mulched, and built a greenhouse among other things. Tom informed guests that Friends of Jackson got their 501c3 from the IRS. They will be having a rooftop fundraiser scheduled for spring. Last Wednesday night at 6:30 at Columbus Recreation Center the Education Committee hosted Professor Cucchiara from Temple University who discussed enhancing community schools with a focus on equity. Last Thursday night Tom co-hosted a Teach For America alumni event at Cantina for all TFA alums in the 19147 zip code. Pam was invited to come and connect the group to the PSCA.

Home Tour

Caroline New, Home Tour event chair, announced that this year’s home tour was a successful event with 10 homes featured, 173 wristbands sold and 10 advertisers in the program book. Caroline thanked homeowners, advertisers and volunteers. She announced that over $4500 was raised. Three Home Tour sponsors were present at meeting and Pam recognized and thanked them.

Zoning

Jared announced that zoning meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 and are held at Annunciation. He invited residents to attend these meetings, then summarized this month’s zoning case as follows: Only 1 November case – 1246 Federal owner came back for more discussion. Jared announced that last month the committee heard a preview presentation from the owners of a lot across from Pat’s. The owner wants ground floor retail space with 21 residential units above it. No provision for parking was discussed. The building would be 4 stories high. The owner will be coming back to discuss further.

Fundraising

Ilene passed out annual appeal letter. She asked guests to consider donating money to be able to keep up the great work that the civic association does.

Announcements:

Pam announced that out annual Holiday Party will take place on December 2. It will be held at Garage starting at 6:30 pm. She invited all guests to attend.

Pam announced the Christmas Tree Sale will be held this year at Urban Jungle on December 6. She asked those who wish to volunteer to be PSCA Christmas carolers this year to see her.

Tree Planting – Volunteers WelcomeSaturday, November 15 at 8:45 am, meet at Capitolo Playground to help us plant 25 trees! Email beautification@passyunk.org for details or to sign up.

Soak It Up! Adoption Program
PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean. We’re looking for volunteers to help us monitor these sites. If you are interested in helping out, please email beautification@passyunk.org for more information. You can also read more about PWD’s innovative Green Cities, Clean Waters initiative at their website.

Pam welcomed guests. She invited the Board to introduce themselves, then encouraged meeting guests to introduce themselves and greet one another.

Pam announced that the PSCA will be using a new Salesforce database to keep track of volunteers and events. She announced that a new volunteer, Tom Gavaghan, will be handling it.

Pam announced that the PSCA Holiday Party is scheduled for Tuesday December 2, and that she is looking for a volunteer leader for the upcoming Tree Sale at Urban Jungle on December 6 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Christine Knapp announced the winners of the 2014 Block Party Award. A representative from the 700 block of Medina, one of the awarded blocks, reported that the block party was a huge success with more than 100 attendees. The program will continue and be announced earlier next year.

Zoning

Jared announced that zoning meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month and are held at Annunciation. He invited residents to attend these meetings, then summarized this month’s zoning cases as follows: 600 Washington Ave (Special exception for a take-out license), 1246 Federal (Legalization of multi-family use), 1213 Peters Street (Single family home with roof deck. Refused for open space), and 827-829 Wharton (Informational presentation for mixed-use development).

Home Tour

Caroline New and Jennifer Barr, event chairs, reminded residents of the upcoming Home Tour, scheduled for October 11 from noon to 4:00 pm. Thus far $2500 from advertisers has been raised and 42 tickets have been sold to date. Brigantessa, the soon-to-open restaurant from the team behind Le Virtu, is the after-party location. Wood-fired grilled pizza is on the menu.

Caroline announced that she is accepting payment at tonight’s meeting – by cash and checks or credit cards. Advance tickets are $20, and can also be purchased through PayPal. Jennifer Barr announced that among the many discounts participants will find in the guide book, each participant will receive a free slice of cheese pizza from Slice.

Three more volunteers are needed for the day of the Home Tour, especially from 1:30-4:00 pm. Volunteers are admitted to Home Tour for free. If you are interested, email hometour@passyunk.org. Pam awarded Jennifer and Caroline with a P’unk t-shirt for their hard work and dedication.

Fundraising

Ilene named all of our current sponsors and asked residents to patronize and support their businesses. The newest sponsors are Noord, Garage and Francoluigi’s.

Beautification

Mural Arts is finishing up the mural at Capitolo Playground and beginning work on a new mural at 10th and Washington. Shira Wallinsky, the artist creating the 10th and Washington mural, will likely speak at our November general meeting.

This year’s final tree pruning event took place one October 5 from 10 am-12 pm. Andrew asked residents for recommendations of blocks that need tree pruning.

A tree planting will take place on Saturday, November 15 at 9 am. 25 trees will be planted. Sarah announced that the she is looking for volunteers to arrive at 8:45 am. Volunteers should bring a shovel and gloves and food will be provided.

Applications for street trees in front of residents’ homes are due on October 27 and are available on the PSCA website. Street trees applied for by October 27 will be planted in the spring.

A yard tree giveaway will take place on Sunday, October 19 from 12 pm – 2 pm at Columbus Square Park. Pre-registry is recommended.

Sarah announced that Passyunk Gardens is closing down for the season. Sarah invited interested residents to get involved.

Sarah asked for volunteers who would like to be trained to care for the 5 storm water sites in the neighborhood. We have 4 volunteers so far. We need a fifth and one back up for each site. Please email Sarah if you are interested at beautification@passyunk.org. She will give those interested a tour of the site.

Parks and Immigrant Outreach

Chris announced that the Columbus Square Park Fundraising Committee’s “View From the Top” rooftop fundraising event took place at Wharton Lofts on Friday, September 12 from 6:00-8:00 pm. With more than 200 people in attendance and about $10,500 raised towards the renovation of the park, the event was a great success. Columbus Square’s new website www.mycolumbussquarepark.org was launched also on September 12. He invited guests to stay tuned for upcoming fundraising events.

Columbus Square is planning a flea market for October 25 from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm, as well as a Pumpkin Painting Celebration for kids on the same date from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Capitolo Playground will be hosting a Fall Flea Market with live bands on Saturday, November 1st from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Gold Star Park’s Campfire Night will be held on Thursday, October 9th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Gold Star Park (on Wharton, between 6th & 7th Streets). Plan to bring your family and friends. Join neighbors to bring a bit of country into the city! goldstarphilly@gmail.com with any questions. Rain date will be October 16th.

The fourth session of ESL classes (Level 0 and Level 1) began the week of September 8 at the Columbus Square Recreation Center. Residents should stay tuned for information about future ESL sessions.

The monthly PSCA Newsletter continues to be translated into Spanish and posted to the website monthly.

The next Language Exchange event will be held on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00 pm at Taquitos de Puebla (1149 S 9th St). All are welcome.

Speakers:

Danielle Saletta from Wells Fargo specializes in working with small businesses. Danielle offered her services to meeting guests. She is available to talk about retirement planning or answer any questions about banking in general.

Nicole Ozdemir from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (Nicole.Ozdemir@phila.gov) announced that a comprehensive plan for all of South Philly is being completed. The plan addresses physical improvements, open space, transportation, and remapping for zoning (i.e., updating zoning to match land use). This is the first new plan in about 50 years. Nicole announced that land use surveying has been completed. The City Planning Commission is planning to hold the first of three public meetings the first week in December. The other two meeting are being planned for the spring. Nicole fielded a number of questions, among them one about the future use of the Municipal Complex behind the fire station. Nicole assured meeting guests that the Planning Commission will get community input to begin to address this underutilized space. For more information, residents can go to Philadelphia2035.org.

Announcements:

Pam announced that the 10th Street Laundromat will be holding a Community Art Fiesta from 6pm-8 pm this coming Friday, October 10th. All are welcome. She also reminded meeting guests of a second Community Volunteer Day that will be held at Jackson School on October 25th at 9 am. Those interested should gather at the school.

Passyunk Square Civic Association’s general meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month (September through June) at Annunciation BVM Church (10th and Dickinson).

The Tree Philly Yard Tree Giveaway is October 19 from 12 pm to 2 pm at Columbus Square Park! Pre-registration is recommended – email beautification@passyunk.org for more information!

Tree Planting – Volunteers Needed
Mark your calendar for the morning ofSaturday, November 15 to help us plant 25 trees! Email beautification@passyunk.org for details or to sign up.

Passyunk Gardens at Wharton & Passyunk will maintain open hours through the month of October! Open hours are Thursday mornings (check the Passyunk Gardens’ Facebook page for times) and Sundays afternoons from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Soak It Up! Adoption Program
PSCA is working with the Philadelphia Water Department this year to ensure that stormwater management installations in our neighborhood – the planters and rain garden at Columbus Square Park, the planter outside the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, the tree trench on 12th Street between Dickinson and Tasker, and the tree trench on 10th Street between Wilder and Reed – are as beautiful as they are effective in keeping our water clean. We’re looking for volunteers to help us monitor these sites. If you are interested in helping out, please email beautification@passyunk.org for more information. You can also read more about PWD’s innovative Green Cities, Clean Waters initiative at their website.